It鈥檚 only February but the team at NG Bailey are already psyching themselves up for Little Britain. Gary鈥檚 so keen he鈥檚 signed up for a two-day skipper鈥檚 course.

鈥淲e鈥檝e been there for several years now and this will be our third year racing,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping to improve on our position last year 鈥� I鈥檓 not going to tell you what it was. All about taking part? What a load of rubbish!鈥�

Later investigation reveals they came well down the field, but there is some cause for optimism. This year they have an evil genius look-alike as their leader 鈥� Tom realises that Gary is a dead ringer for Doctor Evil, the scheming nemesis of Austin Powers, International man of mystery. 鈥淚鈥檝e looked at you many times but it鈥檚 only tonight I鈥檝e realised the similarity!鈥�

Gary rises to the bait and does a scarily good impression. 鈥淲e are going to use our Laser to take over the world,鈥� he cackles. Raj tries not to choke on his drink, while Gerry shakes his head in embarrassment.

Despite the occasional grimace, everyone seems pleased to be here 鈥� quite a relief, considering they claim to have put aside other 鈥� not entirely believable 鈥� commitments to meet for a drink this evening.

鈥淵ou gave up basket weaving tonight didn鈥檛 you, Tom?鈥� says Gary. 鈥淢y goat鈥檚 cheese-making club was meant to be on,鈥� he continues, 鈥渁nd I missed my Laser club!鈥�

In an abrupt change from the bizarre to the mundane, talk turns to the construction skills crisis. 鈥淧eople stacking shelves in Tescos earn a lot more money than someone in an apprenticeship 鈥� that鈥檚 wrong,鈥� says Tim. 鈥淪omeone鈥檚 got to make what we do more attractive 鈥� we鈥檝e got to up the ante.鈥�

Everyone nods in agreement and wonders what will happen to all the Polish workers. Will they continue to fill the skills gap or go back home as the Polish market heats up?

Gary doesn鈥檛 foresee an exodus anytime soon. 鈥淲e did a project in Poland at the end of last year. The economic situation there hasn鈥檛 improved enough for everyone to be interested in going back,鈥� he says.

There is, however, some concern about who will build the London Olympics. Tom reassures the team that they鈥檝e been digging big holes in Stratford for a while and everything will probably be fine.

If not, Doctor Evil may just have to bring out his laser beam 鈥�

Chosen watering hole: The Chepstow, London鈥檚 West End

Ambience: Gastropub for professionals

Topics: Little Britain, Dr Evil and the skills shortage 

Drinks drunk: Too many to count

Tim Cunningham operations director
Rajesh Sinha technical director
Gary Edgar project director
Chris Bailey marketing manager
Gerry Carroll director of market development
Tom Holbrow business development manager
Eleanor Goodman 黑洞社区

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